Democrats and Republicans still haven’t found a compromise
Eight days into the government shutdown, Democrats and Republicans appear no closer to a deal.
The partial federal government shutdown entered its ninth day on Thursday, October 9, after Republicans and Democrats failed to agree on a budget to restore government funding and end the shutdown that began on October 1.
But the real-world effects of the government shutdown, especially on federal workers who are being furloughed or put on unpaid work due to budget constraints, could put pressure on lawmakers to reach a deal.
The Internal Revenue Service said in a statement Wednesday that the government shutdown sent more than 34,000 employees home, nearly half of its workforce, and effectively closed its taxpayer call center.
For workers who need to continue working but haven’t received a paycheck during the shutdown, the economic reality will be felt on October 10, when many government workers are scheduled to have their paychecks deposited into their bank accounts. The checks will be smaller than usual because they cover work done between September 22 and October 4, including the first three days of the shutdown, Reuters reported.
The nation’s 2 million active-duty soldiers are scheduled to receive paychecks next Wednesday, October 15th, for service performed after October 1st. If the shutdown is still in effect at that point, they will not receive any pay at all.
Here’s what you need to know as the federal government shutdown enters its ninth day.
Is the federal government still closed?
Yes, the federal government is still largely shut down.
Approximately 2 million federal employees have had their paychecks suspended, and nearly 750,000 have been ordered not to report to work. Other employees, including military and air traffic control personnel, must work without pay until a budget deal is reached.
What about Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid?
According to the Social Security Administration’s closure plan, the agency will continue to provide retirement and disability benefits, but will furlough 12% of its employees and suspend marketing campaigns.
Payments will continue under the Medicare and Medicaid health care programs as well.
Will U.S. mail be delivered?
The USPS said in a statement that there is no impact because the U.S. Postal Service does not rely on funding from Congress. Post offices will be open.
What about the airport?
More than 13,000 air traffic controllers and about 50,000 Transportation Security Administration employees will still be required to report to work during the shutdown. Air traffic controllers will receive a portion of their pay on October 14 for the work they did before the shutdown, Reuters reported.
Will food assistance continue under SNAP and WIC?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the nation’s largest food assistance program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, known as WIC, will continue operating during the closure as funding allows, according to closure planning documents issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
What does the military shutdown mean for the military?
Two million active-duty military members will continue to serve without pay until the budget impasse is resolved.
Roughly 55% of the Pentagon’s 740,000 civilian employees have been furloughed, including those in training, procurement and administrative support. Civilians are still working in cybersecurity, medical care, weapons system maintenance, intelligence, and logistics.
The National Guard, which President Trump deployed to American cities, must also remain active.
What about Homeland Security, Immigration and Border Protection officers?
Only 5% of the Department of Homeland Security’s 271,000 employees are furloughed, including those involved in research, planning, training and auditing.
Secret Service agents, immigration and border officials, airport security screeners, Coast Guard personnel and Federal Emergency Management Agency emergency personnel remain on the job.
The shutdown is the 15th since 1981 and is expected to be the fourth longest in U.S. history, surpassing the eight-day shutdown in 1977 under President Jimmy Carter. The longest shutdown lasted 35 days during President Trump’s first term in 2018-2019.
Contributors: USA TODAY’s Zach Anderson, Joey Garrison, Bert Jansen and Sarah D. Wire. and Reuters
